Diamond bit



F. BLEY ET AL Nov. l5, 1938.

DIAMOND BIT Filed Aug. 21, 1957 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 Y UNITED STATI-:s

' PATENT OFFICEY Application August 21,

14 Claims.

Our invention relates to bits for core drills of the type employed by miners, prospectors, and others for obtaining cores or samples of the geological strata cut by the bit to determine the probable mining and other values of the penetrated strata or material, such bits being usually equipped with a plurality of diamonds for making the cut and are known as diamond core bits.

More particularly the invention relates to improvements in a core drill bit comprising a cylindrical member having a plurality of cutting diamonds or other elements having suitable cutting and abrasive qualities, set in its working end portion, certain of the diamonds or elements projecting forwardly in novel cooperating relation-to do the' initial and advance cutting and others projecting laterally beyond the inner and outer faces respectively to widen the annular cut produced by the forwardly projecting diamonds or elements.

Core drill bits of the kind described are removably mounted, preferably by threading, on a hollow shaft commonly called a core barrel. The hollow shaft or barrel is adapted to receive the core cut by the bit and is rotated about its longitudinal axis to actuate the bit and provides a conduit containing the core and through which water flows inwardly around the core to cool the bit and remove the sludge. Some of the water is forced around the working end ofv the bitr and is discharged outside of the barrel, thereby ushing or removing the sludge and permitting the diamonds or cutting elements to contact only with uncut material. The remainder of the water circulates inside of the barrel tending to float the broken sections of the core and remove such sediment and sludge as would otherwise .collect and contact with the inside of the bit.

The barrel consists of sections of convenient length adapted to be joined together to form shafts of any suitable length for drilling horizontal, vertical or inclined holes of any desired depth, additional barrel sections being added as the drilling proceeds.

It is an object of the invention to provide improvements in the configuration and construction of the working end of a core drill bit whereby frictional contact of the barrel and of the main body of the bit with the side walls of the hole is prevented with the result that the power requisite to actuate the drill is substantially diminished and abrasion of the outside of the barrel and of the body of the bit is minimized.

Another object of the' invention is the provision of core drill bits of the kind described having lea'z, sci-n1 No. 160,222

their working ends either perpendicular or generally inclined to the axes of rotation of the bits and providing grooves and ridges arranged in a novel manner to facilitate the removal of the sludge by centrifugal force and circulation of water.

A further object of the invention is to minimize resistance of the rock to cutting, this being accomplished by a novel arrangement of a plurality of diamonds or cutting elements in selected relative positionswhereby certain of the cutting elements initially contact and cut grooves in the rock and others follow in paths adjacent the initially cut grooves and thereby successively widen the grooves by cutting and breaking their bounding edges laterally with a minimum of power.

Many other objectsand advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end our invention consists in the novel construction and configuration of the working end of core drill bits and the novel arrangement and combination of cutting diamonds and elements mounted on the bit.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. l is an end view of a bit embodying the principles of the invention and wherein the cutting elements, ridges, and grooves, are partially shown, it being understood that the entire working end of the bit is similar to that partially shown;

Fig. 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively fragmentary side elevational and sectional views of the working end of the blt illustrated in Figs. l and 2, but drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is an end view of an alternative form of a core drill bit embodying the principles of the invention and illustrating the grooves and ridges as respectively symmetrical about diametrical planes containing the longitudinal axis of the to receive a section of a barrel or hollow driving shaft, not shown, the barrel section having approximately the same outside diameter as the main body of the bit. The barrel is operatively connected with suitable actuating mechanism, not shown, whereby the bit is rotated and advanced to cause the diamonds or cutting elements mounted on the working end of the bit to cut and break the strata to be penetrated. The barrel sections are of any convenient length and as drilling proceeds, additional sections are added so that holes of any desired depth and extending either horizontally or vertically, or at any intermediate inclination may be drilled. Obviously. in drilling relatively deep holes, the combined weight of the barrel sections and of their water and core contents is substantial and if the outer periphery of the barrel is permitted to contact with the bounding walls of the hole, the outside peripheries of the barrel and body of the bit will be abraded and the power necessary to operate the drill will be substantially increased. Frictional contact of the barrel sections and of the main body of the bit with the bounding side walls of the drilled hole is preventd by providing an annular enlargement l2 on the outside of the working end of the bit. The diameter of the drilled hole is thereby made substantially larger than the diameter of the actuating barrel and avoids frictional contact of the barrel with the bounding walls of the hole and increases the useful life of the barrel sections.

In practice, water is forced inwardly through the barrel by a pump or other suitable device to cool the bit and remove the sludge. Some of the water flows past the bit and returns through the cylindrical space outside of the barrel carrying with it sludge and grit. The relatively large cylindrical space surrounding the barrel permits free return of water and also avoids any possibility of abrasive contact of the barrel with the sludge contents of the water.

The Working end of the bit is also provided with an inside annular enlargement I3 which diminishes the diameter of the core cut by the bit and provides a larger free space for inward ilow of water.

The working end of the bit shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is inclined forwardly and inwardly and provides a plurality of grooves I4 and ridges i5 generally V-shaped in cross section and extending across the Working face and terminating in the outer and inner faces, respectively, of the bit l0. The grooves i4 are identical and are illustrated as having a uniform depth throughout their length. The apex lines formed by the intersection of the side Walls bounding the grooves I4 and the ridges I5 are inclined not only to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bit, but are also inclined as shown to diametrical planes coincident with such longitudinal axis, the inner ends of the grooves and ridges being in advance of their outer ends as the bit is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. By inclining the grooves I as described, advantage is taken of centrifugal force to facilitate the flow of sludge and water through the grooves from the inside to the outside of the bit.

A row of diamonds or other cutting elements is provided on the apex line of each ridge I5, the outer edges of the end diamonds preferably projecting slightly beyond the bounding walls of the annular enlargements I2 and I3. Alternate ridges I5 have an even number of diamonds mounted therein and the remaining ridges have one less or one more diamond to provide an odd number. The corresponding end diamonds mounted on all of the ridges I5 are in circumferential alignment. The intermediate diamonds of the individual rows comprising an odd number are preferably equally spaced in the rows and are in circumferential alignment with the corresponding diamonds of the other rows comprisnig an odd number. Similarly, the intermediate diamonds of the ridges I5 comprising an evenv number are likewise preferably equally spaced and are in circumferential alignment with the corresponding diamonds of the other ridges providing an even number. The described equal numbers and spacings of the intermediate diamonds in alternate rows minimize the resistance oiiered by the rock to cutting by all of the diamonds except those positioned in the inner circumferential row which are in advance of the others and do the initial cutting. The apex lines of the ridges I5 and of the grooves I4 are shown as substantially straight but they may be convexly or concavely curved if desired. A diamond is mounted on the bottom and at each end of the grooves I4. The groove diamonds project laterally to increase the radial dimensions of the cylindrical space cut by the end diamonds, when worn laterally, in an amount such that frictional contact of the main body of the bit and of the barrel with the bounding side Walls of the hole and with the core is eliminated and also prevents abrasive contact thereof with the slit or sludge carried by the water. A bit formed with grooves i6 and ridges I5 inclined as described is cleaned of sludge as rapidly as it is formed. The described arrangement of the diamonds on the ridges and in the grooves not only minimizes the resistance to cutting and prevents abrasion, but also holds the drill to a straight line regardless of irregularities in the density or hardness of the rock being simultaneously penetrated by diierent portions of the bit. While the ridges and grooves are shown and described as generally V-shaped in cross section it is understood that the side faces thereof may be approximately perpendicular to the bottom of the grooves and the top of the ridges and that the cross sections of the ridges are substantially U-shaped.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein the working end of the bit is shown as inclined forwardly and outwardly and as providing a plurality of radially extending grooves I6 separated by radially extending ridges Il, the grooves and ridges being shown as generally V-shaped in cross section. The relative arrangement of the diamonds to provide odd and even numbers in alternate ridges Il and the mounting of the diamonds at the ends of the grooves IS `is similar to the arrangement fully described for the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. The apex lines of the grooves i5 and the ridges Il are shown as slightly convex but it is understood that the lines, if desired, may be straight or slightly concave. The ridges Il also may be substantially U-shaped in cross section if desired with the ridge diamonds arranged in a row extending from end to end.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. Y to 9, inclusive, wherein the working end face comprises a plurality of grooves I8 separated by ridges I9, the grooves and ridges being shown as generally V-shaped both in cross section and longitudinally. Not only are the grooves I8 and ridges I9 generally V-shaped in cross section and longitudinally, but the apex lines determined by the' intersection ofthe boundierentiall line of the working end ofthe bit. In

` this embodiment, the initial cutting is'done by a plurality of diamonds4 respectively mountedl on the ridges i9 at the points of convergence of the apex lines. A plurality of diamonds, arranged in rows coinciding with the apex lines, are embedded in each ridge it. The enddiamonds of each row preferably project slightly beyond the peripheral edges of the enlargements I2 and il, respectively. In this construction, a diamond is also' mounted at' each end of each groove I8, the groove diamonds laterally projecting to widen the cylindrical space cut in the rock by the end'diamonds. The generally V-shaped apex lines of the grooves I8 and ridges I 9 are shown as comprising two intersecting straight lines, but if desired,` such lines may be either concavely or convexly curved.

Thus, it will be seen that we have provided improvements in diamond bits of the kind described whereby abrasion of the barrel or shaft is substantially eliminated and wherein the diamonds are arranged in a manner to facilitate the cutting, and wherein grooves andridges are provided on the working end of the bit in a novel manner to facilitate removal of sludge and grit, all resulting in substantially diminishing the power required.

for actuating the drill.

Having thus described our invention, it is obvi- 3 ous that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of our invention; hence we donot wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and .described or uses mentioned.

What we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A core drill bit of the kind described compris-g..

` rial to be drilled, an annular enlargement on one cylindrical face of said material engaging end, the material engaging end of said member pro' viding a plurality of relatively narrow ridges sepa'- rated by grooves extending from the outside to the inside cylindrical peripheries of saidmember, and a plurality of diamonds embedded in and projecting from each ridge, the diamonds of each ridge being arranged in a row with the end diamonds respectively contiguous to the outer and the inner periphery of the member. f 2. A core drill bit of the kind described com prising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for'operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled,'the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of relatively narrow ridges separated by grooves extending from the outside cylindrical periphery to the inside cylindrical periphery of said end, and a plurality of diamonds embedded in and projecting from each ridge, said elements being arranged in a row with the end diamonds respectively contiguous to the outer and inner periphery of the member.

3. A core drin bit of the kind described comprising a hollow ycylindrical member rotatable aboutits longitudinal' axis,'one e'nd of themember being adapted for .operative engagement with an actuatinghollow shaft and 'the other end bev ing adapted for operativeengagement'with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member comprising a plurality of rela- .tively narrow uniformly spaced ridges separated by grooves extending from the outside tothe inside cylindrical peripheries of said end, and a plurality of cutting elements embedded in and projecting from each ridge, the elements embedded in eachridge being arranged in a row with the end elements of each row respectively projecting laterally beyond the cylindrical peripheries of 'said material engaging end.

4. A core drill bit of the` kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable obliquely from the outside to the inside cylindrical periphery of said end, and alplurality of cutting elements embedded in and projecting from each ridge, the elements of each ridge being arranged in a row with the end element of the row respectively contiguous to the outer and the inner cylin-V drical peripheries of the member, the Obliquity of said ridges or grooves`being`such that their inner ends are circumferentially in advance of their outer ends in the direction of rotation of the member.

' 5. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatabley about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollowshaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of relatively narrow ridges separated by grooves, said grooves and ridges being inclined to planes perpendicular to the axisl of rotation of the member and extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said material engaging end, and a plurality of cutting elements embedded in vand projecting from each ridge, the elements of each ridge being arranged in a row with the end elements of the row krespectively contiguous to the outer and inner bounding faces of the member.

6. A core drill bit of the kind described com.

prising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being `adapted lfor operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end mounted on and projecting from the apex of each by one the number of diamonds in intermediate Y rows, the diamonds of each alternate row being in circumferential alignment with the corresponding diamonds of other-alternate rows, and the diamonds comprising each intermediate row being in circumferential alignment with the corresponding diamonds of other intermediate rows.

'7. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a. hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member beingadapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves separated by ridges, said .grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped in cross-section and extending from the4 outside to the inside periphery of said material engaging end, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from the apex of each ridge, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove, said ridges and grooves extending diagonally relative to radial lines of the member and in a direction such that their inner ends are in advance of their outer ends as the bit is lrotated, said ridges and grooves being also inclined to planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said member, the number of diamonds in alternate rows being odd and the number in intermediate rows being even. the corresponding end diamonds of all rows being in circumferential alignment.

8. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis. one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves separated by ridges, said grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped in cross-section and extending radially from the outside to the inside periphery of said material engaging end, said grooves and ridges being bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on the apex line of each ridge and projecting forwardly therefrom, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove.

9. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves separated by ridges, said grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped in cross-section and extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said material engaging end. said grooves and ridgesl being bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from the apex line of each ridge, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each groove and projecting laterally therefrom, the apex lines of said ridges and grooves each being positioned in a diametrical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the member and being inclined relative to said axis.

l0. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves separated by ridges, said grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped in cross-section and extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said material engaging end, said grooves and ridges being bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from the apex line of each ridge, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted at the bottom of each end of each groove, the apex lines of said ridges and grooves each being positioned in a diametrical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the member and being inclined to said axis, alternate rows of diamonds comprising an even number and the next adjacent rows of diamonds comprising1 an odd number.

11. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted foroperative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves and ridges extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said end, said grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped longitudi- ,nally and incross-section and bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from each ridge apex line, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove.

12. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, an annular enlargement on the outside of the material engaging end and an annular enlargement on the inside of said end, the material engaging end o f said member providing a plurality of groovesland ridges extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said end, said grooves and ridges being V-shapedlongitudlnally and in cross-section and bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines-at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from each ridge apex line, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove.

13. A core drill bit of the kind described comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatable about its longitudinal axis, one end of the member being adapted for operative engagement with an actuating hollow shaft and the other end being adapted for operative engagement with the material to be drilled, the material engaging end of said member providing a plurality of grooves and ridges extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said end, said grooves and ridges being substantially V-shaped longitudinally and in cross-section and bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from each ridge apex line, and a laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove, said apex lines being inclined to member providing a plurality of grooves and ridges extending from the outside to the inside periphery of said end, said grooves and ridges being V-shaped longitudinally and in cross-section and bounded by faces intersecting to form apex lines at the top of the ridges and at the bottom of the grooves, a row of diamonds mounted on and projecting from each ridge apex line,V

and a'laterally projecting diamond mounted adjacent the bottom of each end of each groove, said apex lines being inclined to planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member, one diamond of each row being positioned at the point of intersection of the ridge apex lines.

FRED BLEY.

MARTIN HOERER. 

